[Bladder preservation possibilities in the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer]

Radical cystectomy is the standard of treatment for muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in European Union and in United States. During the last few decades, several clinical trials were performed with the aim to evaluate new treatment methods as an alternative to radical cystectomy for selected patient groups. According to some clinical trials, it is clear that bladder preservation is possible without compromising overall survival of these patients. Organ preservation requires a combined-modality treatment including transurethral resection of bladder tumor, radiation therapy, and systemic chemotherapy. Incorporation of chemotherapeutic agents such as gemcitabine or taxanes in bladder-sparing protocols improves the results of conservative treatment of locally advanced bladder cancer. Pretreatment selection criteria and the most important prognostic factors are macroscopically complete transurethral resection of bladder tumor, absence of hydronephrosis, and lower T stage.